Widely considered to be the greatest footballer of all time, the 53-year-old Agrentine legend is said to be in talks with minnows Deportivo Riestra, who play in the fifth tier of Argentinean football, over a deal to join them until the end of the season.

According to a report in metro.co.uk, Maradona was put in touch with Riestra by one of his advisers who owns shares in the club, and he is now tipped to make his debut next month. The 1986 World Cup winner, has struggled with his weight in recent years but is said to be in good enough shape to start a match on March 23.

Maradona told local newspaper Ole this week that he was "keen to play" and a Riestra club source has confirmed that the paperwork has been lodged with the authorities. "Within a few weeks, Maradona will be playing for Riestra," the paper quoted a source, as saying. "We want him to debut on March 23. The paperwork is already being sorted."

Midfielder Victor More says he will "definitely" give up his No. 10 shirt to Maradona when he signs, so the left-footed genius can reclaim his favoured number.

Maradona, who last played in 1998, is expected to be such a draw that the club is planning to abandon their 3,000-capacity stadium in favour of the 43,494-capacity Estadio Pedro Bidegain, home to Primera Division champions San Lorenzo.